At Shelter Nova Scotia we provide places to stay and services to promote stability for marginalized individuals. You will contribute to a community without judgement with spaces and places for people to belong.

Barry House is a 17-bed emergency shelter serving individuals who identify as female or are gender diverse. Guests are 16 years of age and older. They could be people living with mental health concerns, disabilities, unemployment or under-employment, struggling with substance misuse, post traumatic stress, abandonment, rejection and poverty. Reporting to the House Manager, the Social Worker is responsible for promoting shelter diversion and shorter shelter stays and providing quality support and assistance to the guests. The Social Worker will have an exceptional understanding of the policies and procedures of Shelter Nova Scotia in order to model behavior that is in line with the mission, vision and values of the organization. The Social Worker will model non punitive, collaborative and social justice approaches.

·        Bachelor of Social Work and is registered or eligible for registration with the Nova Scotia College of Social Work.

·        Two years’ experience in the social services field. Experience in case management is an asset. Demonstrates and is committed to guest centered services, harm reduction models of care, anti-oppressive and trauma informed approaches for working with guests.

·        Must hold current Standard Level “C” First Aid/CPR and be able to obtain Criminal Record Check and Child Abuse Registry check. NVCI and ASIST an asset

40 hours per week with combination of days, evenings, and weekends. This is an awake position, staff are required to stay awake, alert, and vigilant at all times while on duty.

Salary $30.69 per hour (as per Collective Agreement).

·        2 weeks’ vacation                                                                          •    2% RRSP Match

·        8 paid personal days                                                                     •    Heath & Dental

·        Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

 

Shelter Nova Scotia is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community without judgement. We value people for who they are, the uniqueness they bring and the opportunities to learn from our differences. We welcome applications from members of diverse communities.

Shelter Nova Scotia, located in Halifax, is a not for profit charitable organization governed by a volunteer board of professionals and operated by skilled employees. We believe in a community where everyone has a safe and affordable home. 

Summary: To be responsible and accountable to the House Manager for promoting shelter diversion and shorter shelter stays and providing quality support and assistance to guests.

Minimum requirement of a Bachelor of Social Work and is registered or eligible for registration with the Nova Scotia College of Social Work. At least two years’ experience in the social service field. Experience in case management an asset. Demonstrates and is committed to guest centered services, harm reduction models of care, anti-oppressive and trauma informed approaches for working with guests. The social worker models non-punitive, collaborative and social justice-oriented approaches. 

·               Monitor to ensure guests are provided with effective service

·               Ensure Shelter Nova Scotia’s mission, vision and values are modeled

·               Demonstrate commitment to ethical behavior that promotes quality guest service and professional interactions with colleagues, guests and community partners

·               Ensure the facility specific Operating Policies and Procedures are adhered to

·               Ability to remain awake, alert, and vigilant at all times while on duty

·              Identify and advocate for individuals experiencing homelessness, or at risk of homelessness, and refer to community programs as appropriate;

·               Knowledge of the structure and organization of the Department of Community Services and applicable legislation and policies (Employment Support and Income Assistance)

·               Develops, maintains, and strengthens relationships with guests, stakeholders and community partners to achieve goals and influence outcomes; Be knowledgeable about the impact of poverty and homelessness

·               knowledge of and adherence to NSCSW Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice

·              Accurately and professionally document notes relating to guest interactions and keep other team members up to date on guest issues;

·               Perform First Aid and/or CPR when required

·              Maintains guest privacy by sharing information only on a need to know basis. Protects the confidential information of the guests, clients, residents and tenants;

·              The social worker has excellent crisis assessment and intervention skills. Addresses and resolves crisis, conflicts or sensitive situations in a positive and open manner, per established policies and procedures

·              Engage regularly and respectfully with guests and respond to queries and requests in a timely respectful manner;

·               Participate in meal preparation, presentation and clean up

·               Perform the On Call function as required

·               Receive and direct proper storage of deliveries and donations

·               Maintain the daily operation of the facility including building security

·               Exterior grounds maintenance: complete tasks assigned to you that contribute to a clean environment and report any required repairs as recognized as required

·               Interior facility maintenance: Daily cleaning and minor maintenance of facility, bedding setup, laundry, garbage removal and recycling as required

·               Ensure that the office and common areas are tidy and free from clutter and food is safely stored or discarded prior to the end of each shift;

·               Coordinates case management services

·               Oversee all aspects of case management including assignment of work to front line employees related to housing searches, acquisitions and overall positive transitions from Shelter

·               Demonstrate and encourage problem solving and case planning in order to support guests with complex needs

·               Demonstrates appropriate interviewing, active listening and supportive skills with a thorough knowledge of community resources

·               Conduct intakes, assessments and interviews

·               Engage with guests to co-construct housing plans and to assist guests in establishing both short and long-term goals

·               Identify resources available to support housing plans

·               Provide ongoing assessment of housing plans and redesign plans as necessary

·               Encourage the development and enhancement of life skills including money management

·               Lead case conference and assign work to Support Workers in conjunction with the House Manager; follow up with job responsibilities of same and influence performance management if there are issues

·               Build case management capacity among colleagues, actively promote knowledge transfer 

·               Completion of accurate and timely documentation as per Policies and Procedures

·               Maintain accurate and up to date HIFIS database according to guidelines provided

·               Maintain an accurate filing system

·               Data collection and reporting

·               Assist with development of resource material for guest and public education

·               Demonstrate fiscal responsibility and awareness when handling bus tickets, gift cards and petty cash

·               Monitor and document guest progress

·               Support volunteer and student placements by modeling professional behavior

·               Support the development and implementation of a framework of practice

·               Support new employee orientation and training by assisting with training and knowledge transfer

·               Assist the House Manager with program development, implementation and evaluation

·               Provide gender informed advice and recommendations on issues of concern related to homelessness

·               Responsible for knowledge transfer of current trends, issues, resources and policy changes affecting our guests

·               Collaborates, supports and, along with supervisors and the House Manager, provides leadership to the guest service team

·               actively support and collaborate with community-based initiatives to support ending homelessness, not limited to the Halifax based Coordinated Access System

·               Research and identify promising and best practices related to ending homelessness, to support the evolution of services provided at Shelter Nova

·               Perform shift supervisor duties in the absence of the supervisor and/or House Manager as required

·               Be knowledgeable of the Nova Scotia OH&S Act and regulations and abide by same

·               Comply with the employee responsibilities as outlined in the Internal Responsibility System for OH&S and cooperating with occupational health and safety initiatives.

·               responsible for following safe work procedures; using personal protective and safety equipment as required

·               reporting any illness or injury immediately to their manager; reporting unsafe acts and unsafe conditions

·               Exposure to hazardous material (e.g. body fluids) sharps (e.g. needles) chemicals and noxious agents (e.g. infectious material)

·               Hazards associated with working in physical contact with guests with possible exposure to body fluids, infections, and communicable diseases. 

·               Guests may exhibit unpredictable or volatile behaviors due to mental health and addictions issues (diagnosed or undiagnosed); require an understanding of the behavioral results of trauma

·               The potential for unexpected death and prospective realities of end of life transitions

·              Working with guest group often leads to ambiguous situations that are stressful for the employees, management, and guests. Issues encountered are not easily unraveled, and solutions are at times difficult to address and achieve;

·              High stress environment, requiring sensitivity and confidentiality, and significant degree of visual and mental acuity;

·              Challenging, fast pace and constantly changing environment, with multiple interruptions and competing demands;

·              Must be able to manage personal self-care and wellness so not to impede on carrying out above duties

·              Must have a critical understanding of power dynamics and support staff to recognize this when working with difficult situations and decisions involving guests

·              Minimum requirement of a Bachelor of Social Work and is registered or eligible for registration with the Nova Scotia College of Social Work. At least two years’ experience in the social service field.

·               Certification in the following or the ability to obtain: Standard First Aid/CPR Level “C”; Non-Violent Crisis Intervention; Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST); Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS); Safe Food Handlers certification

·               Successfully obtain Child Abuse Registry check and/or Government of Canada Personnel Screening or Criminal Record Check

·               Proficiency in Microsoft Applications, including: Word, Excel, Outlook

·               Experience with interviewing, counseling, and intervention techniques is an asset

·               Knowledge of Housing First philosophy and familiarity with SDPAT assessment tools

·               Knowledge of mental health and addictions is an asset

·               Experience in case management is an asset.

               40 hours per week with an understanding that days, evenings, overnights and weekends may be required due to the continuous operation of facility.

            $30.69 per hour (as per Collective Agreement)

               As per Shelter Nova Scotia Policy benefits available after 6 months